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Headlights (and running lights) Won't Turn Off

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21K views 2 replies 2 participants last post by  vkeith  
V
#1 · (Edited)
Let me start with a full disclosure; I do not own an Impala. I have a 1993 Roadmaster Limited. I joined this forum a while back because there is nothing that comes even close to the knowledge base here for my Buick, so any help would be greatly appreciated!

I do have a used FSM on the way, but it won't be in time to get me to work tomorrow morning.

I have tried searching but have found nothing close to my situation.

I started my car and noticed that the headlights (and all running lights) came on by themselves. When I parked the car, I dsconnected the battery, reconnected it, and the headlights were off. When I turned the ignition switch back on, the headlights immediately came back on. Disconnecting the battery reset everything and the headlights remain off until I turn the ignition back on. Turning the ignition off does not turn the lights off once they are on. The only way they will turn off is to disconnect the battery.

This makes me think that I have a short somewhere between power through the ignition switch and the headlight relay. However, my problem is that I am working blind without any wiring diagrams, and I need the car working correctly by Monday AM.

Scans of wiring diagrams, or a color code legend would also be appreciated!


Keith
 
#2 ·
not familiar with that particular car but I can think of two things.

ignition switch will not be involved in the headlights being turned on or off, just turn signal and hi beam switch operation.

that being said, if you have some sort of twilight sentinal or daytime running lights then I would look at those as a possible cause.
especially if it has the twilight sentinal system like the later cars did.
 
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V
#3 ·
Wow, I feel like an idiot! I had totally forgotten about the twilight sentinel because I never use it. I have always kept it off since I have owned the car. It had somehow gotten turned on to full.

Problem solved.

Mr. pogo, thank you for the quick response and solution!

The Roadmaster shares the same B-body platform, and were built at the same Arlington, TX plant as the Impala/Caprice line. There is next to no useful forum support for the Buicks, which is why I joined here. Their mechanical similiarities are much greater than the cosmetic differences between them. Other than the grill, taillights, trim levels, and C pillar design they should be nearly the same mechanically and electrically.

Thanks again,

Keith
 
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